"We have seen an increase in non-OPEC supplies. But in the
mid-term, non-OPEC production will decline," Nobuo Tanaka, the
[IEA]'s executive director, told reporters on the sidelines of a
conference. "So, dependency on OPEC oil will increase."

"The cost of production in OPEC countries is also much cheaper,"
he added.

Many had hoped big discoveries in Russia and Brazil, along with
alternate energy development, would limit dependence on the
syndicate.